Window-fastener.



No. 699,696. Patented May l3, I902.

a. E. MELLEN.

WINDOW FASTENER.

(Application filed Dec. 24, 1901.)

(No Model.)

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GEORGE E. MELLEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

WlNDOW-FASTEN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 699,695, dated May 13, 1902.

Application filed December 24, 1901. Serial No. 87,098. (No model) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. MELLEN, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Window-Fasteners, of which the followingis a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which corresponding letters of reference in the diiferent figures indicate like parts.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, cheap, and efficient window-fastener to be attached to the top of the lower sash which shall be so constructed as to lock the respective sashes in any desired position with respect to each other, whether the window be opened or closed, and which look can only be manipulated from the inside. I accomplish said object in the manner hereinafter more particularly described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front view of a window, showing my improvement applied thereto. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of portions of the upper and lower sash, including the meeting-rails, showing my improved lock connected therewith. Fig. 3 is a plan view thereof. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional View of my improved lock, showing the interior parts. Fig. 5 is a like view showing the parts in different positions. Fig. 6 is a side view of a modified construction, and Fig. 7 is a plan view thereof.

In the drawings, a, Fig. 1, represents a window-frame in which is fitted in the usual way the upper and lower sliding sash, of which 1), Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, represents the vertical side rail of the upper sash, c the corresp0nding rail of the lower sash, and (Z c the respective meeting-rails.

Rigidly attached to the top and at one end of the lower sash is placed my improved lock, which is provided with a sheet-metal casingf, formed in one piece, having parallel sides and laterally-projecting flanges g g, through which the fastening-screws are inserted, as shown. Pivoted at h within the casing is an elbowshaped metal dog having arms t'j, the former of which projects from the casing and is provided with the rounded detents is, which are adapted to engage with corresponding indentations in a corrugated metal strip Z, Figs. 1,

2, and 3, attached to the rail 1) of the upper sash. The partj, which I term the heel, is of suthcient weight to overbalance the arm 1' for the purpose hereinafter set forth. Within the casing is placed a movable follower-block m, the front of which is tapered or wedgeshaped, as shown, which block is so shaped and adjusted that when thrust forward to its full limit, as shown in Fig. 4., it serves to lift the heelj to its full height, thereby thrusting the arm t' forward, as shown, and when drawn back, as indicated in Fig. 5, said heel is depressed and the arm t'withdrawn accordingly. A spring at, which is bent over a rivet or pin 0, extended through the case, has one end attached to said case, as shown, while theother end is passed loosely through or into a vertical bore in the block at in such a way as to push said block forward, as shown in Fig. 4, while said block is free to be raised to lock it in an abnormal position, as hereinafter stated. The spring serves normally to push the block forward against theheel j, which latter falls when the block is withdrawn, thereby disengaging the detents In from the rack upon the upper sash. A horizontal slot 19, having an upwardly-extending notch g at the rear end, is formed in the case,through which'is inserted a screw or knob 7', attached to the block on for the purpose of manipulating the latter. Upon withdrawing the block the knob is free to be lifted into the notch q, where the tension of the spring holds it until itis released. Whenever it is desirable to move the lower sash, the part 0' is pressed back by the finger and lifted into the notch, where it remains until the sash movement is completed, when it is released and serves to lock the sash in position. The follower-block is rounded at the heel and provided with a tapered detent at the toe or front end, the portion between being arched or cut away, so that the detent and heel will serve as the only bearing-points.

By reason of this construction the block when the knob is drawn back tends to rock upon the rounded heel and to tilt the toe upwardly, thereby disengaging the detent at the toev and enabling the block to be easily. drawn back, while it is as easily pushed forward by the spring. Moreover, this construction tends to prevent the block from slipping back as a res ult of the pressure of the locking-dog thereon.

In Figs. 6 and 7 I have shown a modification of said ivention. This consists in forming corresponding slotsp upon both sides of the case, through which is extended a pin 8, upon the ends of which are placed cams If t, which are loose upon said pin and so adjusted as to engage the flangesg by frictional contact, and thereby prevent the backward movement of the block on until said cams are lifted.

This may readily be accomplished by grasping the two simultaneously with the thumb and finger, when the block may be withdrawn, as described. If the cams t are not used, I prefer to employ a separate plate u, Figs. 2, 4, and 5, which may be placed beneath said case, said plate being corrugated or roughened, as shown, to prevent the block m from slipping, the detent upon the toe of the block engaging therewith.

One obvious and important advantage of my improved device is that it accommodates itself automatically to the varying space between the upper and lower sash rails. It is well known that window-sashes vary in this respect, owing to imperfect construction and to shrinkage; but it is manifest that with my improved fastener the follower-block on will cause the part i to be thrown outwardly until it is brought into engagement with the rack, and anyattempt to raise the lower sash would tend toincrease this movement, whereupon the follower block would again be moved forward, thus locking the arm 11 more firmly in position, so that the sash would be locked against movement in either direction.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. A locking device of the class described, in which is combined a case adapted to be secured to one of the members to be locked, an elbow-shaped locking-dog, pivotally secured therein, a rack upon the counterpart member to be locked, said rack being in position to be engaged by the teeth upon one arm of said locking-dog, a sliding spring-actuated follower-block arranged to wedge beneath the heel of said locking-dog, a horizontal slot having a notch in the upper side of its rear end and a pin or knob upon said follower-block, said pin being projected through said slot and fitted to engage said notch when in an abnormal position.

2. A window-frame in which is combined a rack attached to the vertical rail of the upper sash, a lock-case attached to the top of the vertical rail of the lower sash, an elbow-shaped lockingdog pivotally mounted within said case and in position to engage said rack, the heel of said locking-dog being heavier than the engaging arm thereof, a spring-actuated follower-block arranged to slide beneath said heel and means for securing said followerblock in an abnormal position.

3. In a window-fastener, the combination of a rack attached to the vertical rail of the upper sash, a lock-case attached to the top of the vertical rail of the lower sash, an elbowshaped locking-dog pivotally mounted within said case in position to engage said rack, the heel of said locking-dog being heavier than the engaging arm thereof, a spring-actuated follower-block arranged to slide beneath the heel of said locking-dog, a pin attached to said follower-block and extending laterally through slots in the case and cams upon the ends of said pin whereby said block may be automatically locked against a backward movement.

4. In a window-fastener, the combination of a pivoted locking-dog arranged to be moved into an abnormal or unlocked position by the action of gravity, a spring-actuated followerblock for pushing and wedging said dog into a locked position and gravity friction-cams for normally holding said follower block against a backward movement.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification, in the presence of two subscribingwitnesses,this 19th day of December, 1901.

GEORGE E. MELLEN.

Witnesses:

D. H. FLETCHER, L. E. MAsoN. 

